Barnaby Joyce, Member of Parliament for New England, recently announced his diagnosis of prostate cancer. This news came upon the heels of his routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. His family doctor refused to let up and require the test. This was atypical because Joyce had no presenting symptoms of an underlying medical condition. The diagnosis is a shock to the 58-year-old lawmaker, who notes regular testing is crucial for men.
Joyce ended up with a very high PSA result, leading to a lot of additional testing. An MRI and then a biopsy came next, which eventually confirmed the cancer. Despite receiving the disappointing news, he stays positive about his prognosis and is going to have surgery to repair the condition. His experience is a timely reminder about the importance of man taking steps to protect their health by getting recommended screenings.
A Call for Awareness
Given his diagnosis, Joyce wants to challenge other men to be more proactive about their health. He stated, “I had a PSA test, which all men should get.” This is important because early prostate cancer detection often leads to better treatment outcomes. She noted how if you catch it early, the success rate is an astonishing 97 percent.
Joyce, now 63, candidly shares his health experience to help inform others about the need for prostate cancer screening. Sharing his story motivates other men to visit their doctor and get tested. He’s passionate about preventive health and the role routine medical exams play in early diagnoses that save lives.
“Prostate cancer, if you get it early, is very, very treatable; in fact, about 97 per cent successful,” – Barnaby Joyce
Political Landscape and Recent Election Outcomes
After a long battle with personal health issues, Joyce continues to be an active, politically minded person. He was until very recently re-elected to the seat of New England with a majority almost double what he achieved in December 2019. Yet despite a significant swing against him on those election results, proving just how angry his constituents are.
Here’s the rub — and the bigger political challenge for Joyce’s party right now. He labelled the most recent federal election a “catastrophic night for the Coalition,” accepting that they were losing a lot of ground. He reflected on the outcome with honesty, stating, “We lost, didn’t we, and you can’t spin it any other way.” Importantly, his approach focused on solving root cause problems first — not re-skinning the pig with flashy outcomes.
Joyce praised the lack of influence this toxic election cycle has had on party dynamics. “Once more I’ll leave that to the party room. I think we need to have an honest conversation,” he said regarding discussions about leadership and strategy moving forward.
Reflections on Leadership and Future Plans
Though Joyce is understandably immersed in his own health and recovery, it’s clear he remains committed to supporting his party colleagues for the long haul. He praised Peter Dutton for his role as leader, asserting, “Peter has done a tremendous job for our nation, and no-one can ever take that away from him.” Joyce’s recognition of Dutton’s achievements is indicative of Dutton’s deep commitment to party unity in difficult times.
Joyce made his vote in the last federal election at his former school in Woolbrook. His candidacy and now his condition as a patient both serve to inform how real his new priorities, and thus his duality, really are. He expressed relief that he does not have to face the public scrutiny that comes with election campaigns after such a difficult night for his party: “In a funny way it’s probably a bit of a blessing in disguise not to have to go back and go through the ignominy of standing in front of a baying crowd after an election like that.”
